CITY TO FIGHT PAYOUT IN PLAZA SUIT.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro Daily News Staff Writer

The city decided Tuesday to appeal a jury verdict that resulted in a $2.1 million award to an electrical company that helped build the landmark Civic Arts Plaza.

In closed session Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to go ahead with plans to appeal the case, one of a series of suits relating to construction of the plaza that have cost the city more than $500,000 in legal bills.

``I feel confident that there's outstanding issues that need to be clarified, that are troubling because of the verdict,'' said City Attorney Mark Sellers.

Thousand Oaks has 60 days from the early November court decision to appeal. Sellers was hopeful the city could resolve the issue without appeal by making a series of motions in court.

Earlier this month, a jury in Simi Valley ruled in favor of Amelco Electric, a Gardena-based company hired to do electrical work at the $64 million plaza.

The business had claimed in a suit filed in 1995 that contract changes in design and construction caused the company to double its workload and spend $9.4 million, more than the $7.1 million for which the contract had called.

The city, however, had countered that the company had various opportunities throughout the building project to object to changes and failed to do so. The suit was filed after the plaza had opened.

The city hired the Los Angeles firm of Negele and Associates to represent the city in the Amelco case and others involving construction of the plaza. The city has spent more than $500,000 over the years defending itself in the suits.

The suit is one of three against Thousand Oaks concerning the building of the plaza, which is a performing arts center and the new City Hall.

Earlier, the city settled with two other businesses paying out a total of $182,000.